ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson believes his players are driven by the opportunity to play finals after being denied that chance when thrown out of the competition last September.

“They realise (the opportunity) and they’re excited and they want it. I think that’s another motivation for them to play really well. They know exactly where they’re at this team and they’re desperate to play finals,’’ Essendon coach Mark Thompson said.

Thompson said he could sense the urgency at a players meeting before training today and he’s confident the Bombers can carry the last half transformation that overran West Coast last round into tomorrow’s game against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.

“I want to see the team from the second half and I want to see it all game,’’ the Bombers coach said.

“I’m quite confident this week that they’re in a good spot. They have been really up and about talking. They trained well on Wednesday and we just had a meeting then and, when I get a lot of input back from the players on how we want to play, then they’re up and about. When they want to offer advice and solutions, then it’s always a good thing. And they certainly did that today.

“It’s all about your attitude, how you go into the game preset and we’ve made it very, very aware that what they should be thinking about is looking after the ball first and moving the ball as quick as we can, but still maintaining possession and putting a lot of pressure on them. Hopefully, we’ve set them up the right way to come out and play their best footy.’’

Thompson will try to settle the line-up so close to the finals and hope he doesn’t have to revert to drastic mid-match positional changes against the Suns.

“You would prefer sometimes not to, but I think a lot of it is about having midfielders who can play in different positions. We’re blessed because Paddy Ryder can play in the ruck, down back, forward. (Michael) Hurley can now play forward or back. (Jake) Carlisle can play forward and back. Even our talls are quite flexible and that’s something we think is important in the game going into the future,’’ he said.

“I don’t mind sometimes throwing a little surprise, but generally deep down we know what opposition clubs are going to do and they know what we’re going to do. We probably put people in positions where we gain a strength against the opposition we’re playing that day. That’s probably the most common sense thing to do. ‘’

Thompson said Dyson Heppell’s broken hand might yet prove to be a plus by forcing the gun midfielder to take the compulsory one week rest.

“The little break might do him good and we should be able to cover for him. That’s what good teams do,’’ he said.

Carlisle trained yesterday and he should be ready to resume his forward role against the Suns.

“He’s all clear as far as back pain, so he’s right to play. They (back) go quick and they fix up quick. He gets one every year, but we’re pretty confident he’s right to go,’’ the coach said.

“They (Suns) have talent and speed and they’re still winning contested ball. So, even though they’re not winning matches, it’s not as if they’re a team you put down in the book as a big tick. There’s still a lot of work to be done and we respect them.’’

Thompson didn’t want to comment on the NRL penalties offered to Cronulla players.

“We had our big meeting this morning, our tactical meeting, and that takes up a lot of our time. To be honest, we’re two weeks away from finals and I couldn’t care less about what ASADA are doing. At the moment, we’re just waiting for the (Federal Court) judge to make his judgment and that’s the most important thing,’’ he said.

On whether Essendon players should follow suit and accept backdated penalties, Thompson said: “I haven’t heard anything and I’m not going out of my way to find out either.’’

Thompson joined the list of sportspeople participating in the ice bucket challenge as David Zaharakis and Heath Hocking doused him on the oval before the start of training.

And James Hird can expect a chilly welcome when he returns to the club next week — Thompson announced to the players that he was nominating Hird, president Paul Little and captain Jobe Watson to take up the challenge.

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